OUR STORY
Built on a Decision
John McKenzie spent nearly three decades working inside some of the most recognized names in the financial industry. He was good at the job. But over time, a pattern became impossible to ignore: large firms are structured around their own interests, and when those interests conflict with a client's, the client rarely wins. In 2022, John walked away from that system and built something different.
Lazarus Wealth Management exists because of that decision.
1995
Serving clients since
100%
Independent & fiduciary
N. TX
Rooted in North Texas
Wealth Management Specialist
John W. McKenzie Jr., WMS
CEO, Lazarus Wealth Management
I started in this business in 1995, and I can tell you exactly what hooked me: the markets and the chance to actually help people with something that mattered. I was a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan, then moved through Banc of America Investments and Wells Fargo before finding my footing at Morgan Keegan, which merged with Raymond James in 2012. Those years gave me a real education. I learned how the big firms work, what they prioritize, and where the gaps show up for clients. In 2022, I did something about it.
Going independent was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Without a corporate structure telling me what I can and can't do, I can focus entirely on what's right for the person in front of me. My reputation and my word are the only things on the line, and that changes how you show up.
My days look about the same whether the market is calm or chaotic: constant monitoring of client accounts, absorbing research, staying on top of macro and micro shifts, and making sure nothing slips through the cracks. I built my own risk management process over 20 years of working through real conditions, and I apply it to every portfolio I manage. The goal is to stay ahead, not react after the fact.
My clients know me as Mack. They also know they can pick up the phone and reach me directly, because that access matters. I have heard from more clients than I can count who spent years feeling like a number at their last firm. That's not how this works here.
Outside the office, I live on a small farm in Alvord, Texas with my wife Jill. We have been married for more than 25 years and have three kids, Ethan, Eden, and Ella. My faith is central to everything I do, and that shows up in how I work and how I give back. I currently serve on a golf committee raising funds for Fort Worth Teen Challenge, a program that provides shelter, food, and training for young women in crisis. I have also served on the board and finance committee for The Fort Worth Library Foundation and have been involved with the Cause Agency. On a slower afternoon, you will probably find me on the golf course, out working the land, and spending time with the Lord.
What keeps me going is simple: the pursuit of knowledge that puts my clients ahead of the crowd. That hasn't changed since 1995.
Credentials